Empty Bowls Wichita began in 2014 through the leadership of ceramicist Brenda Lichman and Wichita State University Professor and Area Head of Ceramics Media, Ted Adler, both passionate about celebrating community service and the ceramic arts. Empty Bowls Wichita has successfully raised substantial funds to fight food insecurity within our community. Our mission extends beyond fundraising with a range of programs, exhibitions, and public events that foster community building. By engaging participants in the creation and donation of bowls, we strengthen the bonds within our community and promote a shared commitment to addressing hunger-related challenges through the arts.
BUILD-A-BOWL events begin every fall. Organizations and individuals interested in creating bowls to donate are invited to Wichita State University’s School of Art, Design, and Creative Industries for a Community Build-a-Bowl Workshop, which is free and open to the public. Empty Bowls Wichita also takes the show on the road visiting partner organizations like Wichita area schools, art centers, and other community groups. These visits are an opportunity to inform, educate, and engage community members of all ages through hands-on art experiences, clay workshops, and discussions regarding food insecurity. Bowls made during these events are then glazed, fired and featured as part of our culminating event, The Empty Bowls Wichita Chili Cook-Off.
Empty Bowls Wichita Chili Cook-Off guests pay $35 at the door and select one of hundreds of bowls made by artists and community members. They then take their new-found bowl and sample dozens of chilis and soups, donated by local restaurant chefs and food industry partners. Once guests have enjoyed sharing this experience together, the concept is…an “Empty Bowl” is brought home to remind us of all the “Empty Bowls” in our community. All proceeds benefit organizations in Wichita to help fight food insecurity.
For more information
REUBEN SAUNDERS GALLERY is partnering with Empty Bowls to host the reimagined Wichita National Ceramics invitational show. Since its inception in 1946 ceramics have played an important role in the development of clay as art. From early visits by iconic clay artist’s Shoji Hamada, Betty Woodman and Bernard Leach to many later modern masters like Peter Voulkas, Wichita has been a central hub in the national clay picture. The reestablishment of the Wichita Ceramics National will bring new energy to the region. Save the date.
ICT OPEN STREETS - WSU & SHOCKER NEIGHBORHOOD
URBAN CANVAS ART MARKET
Sunday, April 14th
Noon to 4 p.m.
Wichita State University, Fairmount & 17th
ICT OPEN STREETS - NOMAR
Sunday, May 5th
Noon to 4 p.m.
NoMar International Market, 21st Street from Broadway to Woodland Park
EMPTY BOWLS COMMUNITY BUILD-A-BOWL
Saturday, September 7th
1 to 3 p.m.
Henrion Hall at Wichita State University
Rooms 106 & 107
Ulrich Museum of Art, Senior Wednesday: BUILD-AND-PAINT-A-BOWL
Wednesday, September 18th
10 a.m. Refreshments
10:30 a.m. Program
Henrion Hall at Wichita State University
Rooms 106 & 107
ULRICH MUSEUM OF ART WICHITA CERAMIC NATIONAL EXHIBITION ARTIST TALK: LISA ORR
Thursday, October 3rd
3:30 p.m.
Ulrich Museum of Art
The Wichita Ceramic National Exhibition
Opening Celebration at Reuben Saunders Gallery
Friday, October 4th
5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
On view through October 28th
Reuben Saunders Gallery
WOOFSTOCK
A Fundraiser for the Kansas Humane Society
Saturday, October 5th
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sedgwick County Park
EMPTY BOWLS WICHITA: CHILI COOK-OFF
Saturday, October 19th
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
$35 donation/$15 student donation
Kids 5 and under = free kids bowl
Wichita State University/Woolsey Hall
Brenda Lichman
Founder and Executive Director
Brenda Lichman is a ceramicist, art educator and a community activist. In the Wichita area, she has taught ceramics at Wichita State University and Wichita East High School. Currently, she is working at the Ulrich Museum of Art as the Museum Education Curator. She is passionate about the ceramic arts and helping our community through Empty Bowls Wichita which she founded in 2014.
Favorite EB bowl A larger sized chili bowl with a gray/purple matte glaze with green dots created by her husband/partner, Ted Adler. (Ted creates 100 plus bowls every year.)
Favorite EB memory Seeing the line of guests excitedly waiting for Empty Bowls Chili Cook-Off to open its doors, such a wonderful gathering of our community for a great cause.
Favorite chili/soup Vegan sweet potato chili
LAURA THOMPSON
Secretary/Treasurer
Supports causes focused on reducing food insecurity and ensuring voter rights. She is a retired industrial engineer and is a nearly lifelong resident of Wichita. Her contribution to Empty Bowls is to expand the organization’s effectiveness and its impact in Wichita.
Favorite EB bowl A medium sized blue bowl made by Gary Lincoln. It is the perfect size for holding hard-boiled eggs.
Favorite EB memory Meeting the person who chose the bowl I made at a community build-a-bowl event.
Favorite chili/soup White chili chicken
Jana Erwin
Operations and Programs Director
Board President
TED ADLER
Ceramicist and Exhibition Director
CAROLYN COPPLE
Emeritus Co-Organizer of Empty Bowls
anne buford
Matt Burchett
Shawn Chastain
Sarah Jane Crespo
Jana Erwin
Tim Finnerty
Sonia greteman
Jessica lada
Mike Michaelis
James Porter
Sandra Sanchez
Laura Thompson
Trish Vanosdel
Brenda Lichman, Ex-Officio
- Emprise Bank
- Greteman Group
- Fidelity Bank
- KMUW
- Wichita Marriott Corporate Hills
- Kansas Health Foundation
- NewMarket Square
- Thrive Restaurant Group
- HumanKind Ministries
- ICT Fridge Project
- Ulrich Museum of Art
- Reuben Saunders Gallery
- WSU Ceramics Guild
- WSU Art, Design & Creative Industries
- Wichita State University
- Wichita Public Schools
- Evans Ceramic Supply
- Mark Arts
